most needy of all, and hence most depraved.947 The keynote of the dialogue is the question of Socrates concerning the wealthy Sicilian, “What sort of a man was he reputed to be in Sicily?”948 The double thesis is illustrated concretely by Socrates, the wisest, and the Sicilian, the richest but worst of men. The first idea is prominent in Euthydemus,949 and elsewhere in Plato and Xenophon.950 The second is a favorite doctrine of the Cynics and Stoics,951 though the general thought may be traced back to Socrates.952
Some insight is exhibited by the author into the problem of value. Like Xenophon, he defines property (χρήματα) as that which is useful, and thus recognizes this element in value.953 He also distinguishes general from economic utility.954 In answer to the question in respect to what particular use wealth possesses utility, he states tentatively that it is with respect to bodily needs,955 an idea suggestive of the organon theory of Aristotle. By this, he doubtless means food, clothing, and shelter, which have the